THE STORY BEHIND ‘CHICAGO’

“He Had It Coming: Four Murderous Women and the

Reporter Who Immortalized Their Stories” “Chicago The Musical” has played on Broadway for more than 9,600 performances since it premiered on Nov. 14, 1996, yet not many people know the characters of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and others are inspired by real women. Their stories were captured by Tribune reporters including Maurine Watkins, who worked at the newspaper for just eight months in 1924. Watkins drew on her access to women accused of murder inside Cook County Jail to write a three-act play that later became “Chicago.” For the first time in almost a century, see photos of these real women that were discovered by Tribune photo department. This new book also includes original newspaper clippings, Watkins’ stories and new analysis written by Tribune reporter Kori Rumore, film critic Michael Phillips, theater critic Chris Jones and columnists Heidi Stevens and Rick Kogan.

“Won for the Ages: How the Chicago Cubs Became

the 2016 World Series Champions.” Revisit the joy produced by the team that Theo Epstein built and Joe Maddon guided to the baseball promised land. From Rizzo and Russell to Baez and Bryant — and that’s just the infielders — a cast of characters grew up before our eyes as their 2016 juggernaut took them from spring training in Arizona to their sport’s ultimate prize in Cleveland. Available online at chicagotribune.com/wonfortheages.